How to Treat Canine Diabetes

By eHow Pets Editor

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Canine diabetes affects dogs in much the same way as humans. A chronic disease in which the body can't break down and utilize glucose, diabetes occurs either because the body lacks insulin, or the body's insulin isn't working properly. If untreated, canine diabetes leads to such serious health risks as kidney damage, heart disease, blindness and death. Treat the disease as soon as it's diagnosed to lessen such risks.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Insulin
Syringes
Glucose urine test strips
Special dog food
Natural dietary supplement
White corn syrup
Medical alert tag

Step1

Inject insulin into your dog to regulate his blood sugar levels, as prescribed by his vet. Some need two injections a day based on the severity of their disease. Your vet provides proper insulin syringes and instructions on how to administer the injection.

Step2

Administer glucose strip testing for urine. Until you regulate her illness, you must obtain your dog's urine sample, then dip the test strip into the sample. Compare the strip's color to the bottle's chart to determine the amount of glucose that's spilling into her urine.

Step3

Feed your dog a strict diet, including high fiber to help stabilize her blood sugar levels. Stick with the diet; it works.

Step4

Allow your vet to take blood glucose measurements if necessary to stabilize your dog. Blood measurements are more specific than urine testing.

Step5

Consider giving your dog natural dietary supplements to help manage the disease. Some beneficial supplements include astragalus, bilberry extract and fenugreek help lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin production. Ask your vet before giving them to your dog.

Tips & Warnings

Keep white corn syrup on hand to help your dog if he has a hypoglycemic episode. Ask your vet to recommend the proper amount.
Attach a medical alert tag to your dog's collar. In case he gets lost, the tag has important information and contact numbers so anyone that finds him can get him help.
If you travel, be sure the person caring for your dog can inject her insulin and recognize hypoglycemia signs.